What are the next steps to relax restrictions in each of the UK nations?

By PA news

Coronavirus lockdown restrictions continue to be eased in different stages across the UK, with significant changes in Wales taking hold from the weekend and in England from Monday.

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford lifted the country’s “stay local” requirement on Saturday, meaning there will be no travel restrictions within Wales for the first time since it entered lockdown on December 20.

People can also stay in self-contained holiday accommodation, but an “all-Wales travel area” in place until April 12 means people cannot travel in or out of the country for at least another two weeks without a reasonable excuse, like work.

Other changes to Wales’ coronavirus rules from Saturday include allowing up to six people from two different households to meet and exercise outdoors, as well as organised outdoor activities and sports for under-18s.

But the relaxations are not to be taken advantage of by people living elsewhere in the UK – with England, Scotland and Northern Ireland still under lockdowns.

Here is a look at how the UK nations are exiting the coronavirus shutdown.

– Northern Ireland

All school children are due to be back in classes by April 12, after a phased return was accelerated on Monday.

The older primary school children – P4-P7 – on Monday joined the youngest who returned to the classroom more than two weeks ago, while Years 12-14 were also back at secondary schools across Northern Ireland.

The wider lockdown restrictions will be reviewed on April 15, but significant changes before then include:

– From April 1, up to six people from no more than two households can meet outdoors in a private garden.

– Up to 10 people, from no more than two households, are able to participate in outdoor sporting activities, but clubhouses and changing rooms will remain closed.

– Click-and-collect purchases allowed from garden centres and plant nurseries.

– From April 12, up to 10 people from no more than two households can meet outdoors in a private garden.

– Click and collect at all non-essential retail outlets.

– England

From Monday, when the Easter holidays begin, larger groups of up to six people, from any number of households, or a group of any size from up to two households, are allowed to gather in parks and gardens in England, according to Government guidelines.

This ends the “stay at home” order, but people are being encouraged to “stay local” where possible.

Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts are also set to reopen, with organised adult and children’s sport – including grassroots football – able to return.

Childcare and supervised activities outdoors for all children will also be allowed.

Shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries, outdoor attractions and outdoor hospitality venues such as beer gardens can reopen from April 12 at the earliest.

– Scotland

The country’s “stay at home” order is to be removed on April 2, with Scots instead advised to “stay local”.

From April 5, click-and-collect retail services, along with garden centres, car dealerships, homeware stores and barbers and hairdressers, will also be able to reopen.

Scotland will then move out of lockdown and return to a levels system – starting with a “modified level three” – on April 26.

On the same date, travel restrictions across the country will be dropped, and a host of other venues are allowed to reopen, including libraries, museums and galleries, gyms and pools.